The Next Chapter: 2017 Class Sees Increase in ESTers Playing College Basketball

It's been a natural progression.

The inaugural Empire State Takeover girls' invitational summer league in 2015 came and went, and although smaller, was a major success. The league that summer didn't feature that many players out of the Class of 2016, with the bulk coming from the 2017 & 2018 classes. The 2016 summer league continued to see a large chunk from the Class of 2017, while also increasing by nearly 60% in overall size.

So if you've been around both years, or just use those numbers to make an educated guess, the next sentence shouldn't come as a surprise to you. A large number of EST participants out of the Class of 2017 - a greater chunk than out of the previous class - have already made their commitments to play college basketball next year.

With numerous members of the class destined to play college ball still being uncommitted, 15 members of the 2017 class that participated in the 2016 EST summer league have made their intentions known to their college of choice. This includes an increase already in Division I (from 1 to 4) and Division II (from 2 to 4) commits. The Division III amount is sure to follow, with several players still mulling over college options. Here's a quick rundown of participants in the senior class that have committed:

Division I

- Saeeda Abdul-Aziz (5'11" G, Mohonasen), after receiving over 20 Division I offers, made her commitment to Davidson College in the fall. The commitment was the climax of an illustrious career at Mohon that has included countless awards, all-star selections, and various other accolades including a recent McDonald's All-American nomination. She will end her high school career as Mohonasen's all-time leading scorer. Saeeda also makes it two consecutive classes - following 2016 graduate Danielle Migliore (Frankfort-Schuyler/St. Bonaventure) - where a girl that participated in EST committed to an Atlantic 10 program. Saeeda was a 2 year EST participant and all-star.

- Brooke Bjelko (6'3" F, Beekmantown) made her commitment to Bryant University in late May, shortly after having been extended an offer from the Northeast Conference program. Brooke has been a longtime standout in the North Country and showed why, to all who were unaware, in a few EST appearances in 2016.

- Lauraine Joensen (6'2" F, Northampton (MA)) also didn't waste much time in committing to her school of choice not long after being extended a scholarship offer in May. Lauraine will be headed to Canisius College in the fall, a great fit in the MAAC for her highly skilled face-up and stretch game. She's made her mark on WMass hoops in her 3 years in the 413 upon moving from her native Denmark. The academic programs offered at Canisius, where she will be able to double major in animal behavior studies and biology, were a big sell for the academically-driven Joensen. She was a 2 year EST participant and all-star.

- CeCe Mayo (5'10" G/F, Shaker) made it clear of her wishes by being the first member of the Class of 2017 in the region to commit, when she made her verbal commitment to Army at the end of her sophomore year. Another very goal-driven individual, on the court and off, she's made her mark at Shaker that won't soon be forgotten. She was a 2016 EST participant and all-star.

Division II

- Nerea Brajac (5'7" G, Cohoes) made her commitment to CACC member Georgian Court University and put pen to paper to make it official in the fall. She's a long-time standout at Cohoes, multi-year Colonial Council all-league selection, and 2 year EST participant and all-star that provides great toughness and a player that can get to the rim from the wing. Nerea also adds to the Capital District connection with Georgian Court women's basketball, as their assistant coach hails from nearby Waterford.

- Caitlin Estes (5'11" G, Scotia-Glenville) made her commitment in the direct aftermath of receiving an offer from Adelphi University out of the NE-10 in the late stages of summer. A 1,000+ point scorer at Scotia, she provides Adelphi with a natural scorer that has great height & length for her position. Caitlin was a 2016 EST participant.

- Nina Fedullo (5'11" F, Amsterdam) committed to The College of Saint Rose, also a member of the NE-10, after receiving an offer in October. Nina is a ready-made talent at that level who has rewritten the record books at Amsterdam already. Her strength & athleticism, a knack for finishing various ways around the rim, and the ability to knock down jumpers past college 3 point range makes for a directly translatable mix of skills that can be put to use right away. Nina was a 2 year EST participant and all-star.

- Tara Sager (6'4" F, Ichabod Crane) will be traveling the farthest out of any EST participant for school as of now, and to a much more desirable place. She received an offer in the fall from Florida Southern College out of the Sunshine State Conference and committed shortly thereafter. She's an elite shot blocker that has tremendous upside with continued development, and is going to a program that made the Division II Elite 8 last year with a reputation for developing its talent well. Tara was a 2 year EST participant.


Division III

- Olivia Baumann (5'11" G, Guilderland) made her commitment to attend & play basketball at St. John Fisher in December. Liv provides Fisher with a guard that has elite height & length at the Empire 8 level that is also a knockdown shooter. Baumann was a 2 year participant and 2016 all-star selection. She will be joining 2015 EST participant Katy McInerney (Bishop Grimes) on the St. John Fisher squad.

- Brianna Laing (5'3" G, South Kortright) will be the 2nd guard out of SK in as many years to play college basketball, as she made her commitment to Hartwick College in December. Like Baumann, Laing will be competing in the Empire 8 conference. The 1,000+ point scorer provides Hartwick a crafty player with deep range & unafraid to get to the rim. Laing was a 2016 EST summer league participant that also was in the 2015 fall event.

- Brianna Legacy (5'7" G, Mount Anthony (VT)) committed to attend and play basketball at Keuka College late in the fall. The academic program was a big draw for Legacy, a multi-year standout in southern VT that was a staple in the Albany AAU scene as well. She heads to Keuka as a ready-made talent that can score and create for others at the NEAC level. Legacy was a 2 year EST participant and all-star. She will join 2015 EST participant Cassidy Albright (New York Mills) as a member of the Keuka squad.

- Lyndsey McCoy (5'5" G, Middleburgh) is the most recent addition to the list of committed players, having made her intentions clear to attend & play basketball at Alfred University on January 10. McCoy, a multi-year, multi-sport standout at Middleburgh and 2 year participant in EST, will provide the Empire 8 Saxons with a floor general that can score when called upon. She makes winning plays; the team she played for in EST made the finals both years, having won it in 2016, and she left her 2 summer league years with a personal record of 20-6. The academic program offerings were a big factor in her choice of Alfred.

- Addy Sackett (5'7" G, Delaware Academy) was the first out of the Class of 2017 to commit to a SUNYAC school, making her commitment to SUNY Plattsburgh early in the fall. Sackett, a 2016 EST participant, gives Plattsburgh a 2 guard that can stretch the court with her shooting ability & can use that to get into the lane.

- Julianna Taylor (5'5" G, Fonda-Fultonville) is the Class of 2017's other SUNYAC commitment as of now, and made that official in the fall with her announcement to further her education and basketball career at SUNY Brockport. The Golden Eagles will be getting a tough-as-nails guard that has improved through the years to develop a complete offensive game, shown by her career point total quickly approaching 1,000. Julianna was a 2 year EST participant.

- Emily Wander (5'4" G, Bethlehem) marked the first ever NESCAC commitment out of someone that participated in EST when she made her choice to attend & play basketball at Middlebury College during the fall. Wander is an electric guard that can score in bunches and has the handle & change of speed to put a defender on skates. Emily was a 2 year EST participant and 2016 all-star.


Numerous talents out of the Class of 2017 are still considering their collegiate options and are currently uncommitted, with college basketball either definitely or likely in their future. They include:

- Lucy Tougas (5'11" G, Glens Falls)
- Julia Kelner (6'2" F, Jamesville-Dewitt)
- Kelly Pine (5'11" F, Hoosick Falls)
- Madison Little (5'9" G, Mount Anthony (VT))
- Rylee VonWedel (6'0" F, Bethlehem)
- Danielle Caivana (5'2" G, Frankfort-Schuyler)
- Kenna Guynup (5'6" G, Beekmantown)
- Carli Brenon (5'5" G, Utica Notre Dame)
- Shiane Irwin (5'5" G, Poland)
- Olivia Marshall (5'11" F, Stockbridge Valley)
- Liz White (5'6" G, Marcellus)
- Ashley Starzyk (6'3" F, Pine Plains)

Congrats to all, whether having participated in EST or not, that have made their college commitments! And to those still narrowing down collegiate options, best of luck in making your collegiate decision - it's great to have options!